by Naomi Sleeper VP of Continuous Improvement and Strategic Initiatives, Imperial Distributors It is that time of year when we replace our holiday indulgences with better-for-you practices. Gyms are packed more than usual, and nutrition becomes a priority (according to Google Trends, the search term “nutrition” has peaked every January over the past five years). […]
Category: National
Posted inProduce News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, National, Online Grocery Technology
Nonconventional Grocery Trends Forecast For 2020
Grocery shoppers can expect to see expanded produce departments, new sections for plant-based food and more cannabis products in 2020, says John Karolefski, supermarket analyst and purveyor of GroceryStories.com. Karolefski says many grocers will eliminate plastic bags at checkout and blend digital with physical shopping to keep customers and attract new ones. “Grocers will aim […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, National
Convenience Store Retailers Say Sales Increased In 2019
Convenience retailers say their sales increased in 2019, according to U.S. convenience store owners surveyed by National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), the trade association that represents the convenience and fuel retailing industry. Three in four retailers (74 percent) said that in-store sales increased in 2019, compared to only 7 percent who said that sales […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, National
Sprouts Shares Whole30 Shopping List For New Year’s Resolutioners
In celebration of the New Year, Sprouts Farmers Market has published a Whole30 Shopping List for those who want to reset their health, habits and relationship with food by participating in the January Whole30. To further educate customers about the Whole30 program, Sprouts will host a series of store events featuring book giveaways and expert advice with […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Home Page Slider, National
National Bacon Day Notes The Popularity Of Pork Belly
National Bacon Day is Dec. 30, and Americans are enjoying the cut of meat in more ways than ever before, according to an article by Adam Russell with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The National Pork Board reported U.S. consumption of bacon increased 2.4 percent from 2001-2013, with Americans consuming about 1.1 billion servings […]
Posted inNational
Members Of Food Industry Responds To House Passage Of USMCA
On Dec. 19, the House of Representatives approved the legislation implementing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Members across the food industry have voiced their opinions of the passage and shared thoughts on what needs to happen next. FMI pleased with vote On behalf of the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) 1,000 member companies, FMI’s Vice President […]
Posted inNational, Home Page Slider, Women In The News
Shoptalk Breaks Ground With All-Women Speaker Lineup For 2020 Event
Shoptalk, a retail show where more than 8,000 industry changemakers gather each year to collaborate at scale, says every speaker at its event in 2020 will be a woman. This includes main stage keynotes, track speakers, interviewers and moderators—a total of more than 225 speakers. Shoptalk’s fifth annual event will be held on March 22-25, […]
Posted inNonfood Items, National, New Products
Molly’s Marvelous Cloth Launches In U.S. And Canada
Molly’s Marvelous Cloth, a reusable, machine-washable cleaning cloth has debuted in Walmart, CVS and Staples stores in the United States and Canada. The cloth requires no chemicals—just water. Consumers just have to wet it, wring it and wipe. Molly’s Marvelous says the fine texture of the products makes it ideal for use as streak-free microfiber […]
Posted inNational, Association News
NGA, FMI Disappointed About Exclusion Of Fix To Retail Glitch
Legislation to fund the federal government beyond December 20 came to a conclusion on Dec. 17 when the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a set of tax provisions in the Omnibus Appropriations package and missed a chance to fix a technical error in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, also known as “the retail glitch.” […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Packaging News, Perishables
Sunkist Keeps Focus On Citrus With Blood Oranges, Cara Cara Navels
Sunkist showcased its blood oranges and Cara Cara navel oranges at Fresh Summit. Erin Semper, retail marketing manager, said both orange varieties are ready in December. “They are excellent for eating, and they add a lot of extra color,” she said. “They complement nicely with our navel orange which, of course, is a big winter […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, National, Packaging News
Fresh Gourmet Co. Touts Its New Grower Direct Program
Fresh Gourmet Co. officially launched its Grower Direct program at Fresh Summit. The program covers dates, figs and sun-dried tomatoes. “We are very excited about this program,” said Cassandra Shindelbower, director of retail marketing. “We’ve created strategic relationships with some of the finest domestic growers of these products—multi-generational families. The whole line is 100 percent […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Packaging News, Snacks Brands, Suppliers
Calbee North America Debuts Harvest Snaps Salad Toppers
Calbee North America launched its new Harvest Snaps salad toppers at Fresh Summit. Paul Laubscher, director of marketing, said Calbee International started in 1949 in Japan, but has been in the U.S. since the 1970s. It is one of the largest snack food companies in Asia. “Now we are branching out to come to the […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Equitable Food Initiative Reflects On Its 2019 Accomplishments
In 2019, Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) received a $1.2 million grant from Walmart Foundation to advance responsible labor practices in Mexico, welcomed 15 new operations to its program, partnered with Costco Wholesale on a joint promotional campaign, updated its standards to align to the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices, continued progress toward Global Food […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Urges Congressional Leadership To Fix The Retail Glitch This Year
On Dec. 12, the National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, sent a letter urging congressional leadership to include the “Restoring Investment in Improvements Act” in any end-of-year spending package. The bill resolves the “retail glitch,” a drafting error in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that causes interior remodels to independent grocery […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Home Page Slider, National, New Products, Packaging News, Produce News, Suppliers
Tommy’s Superfoods Debuts Two Whole-Plant-Based Frozen Products
Tommy’s Superfoods, has introduced two new plant-based products: Asian Fusion and Cauliflower & Purple Sweet Potatoes. All of Tommy’s veggie blends begin with whole vegetables, minimally processed and seasoned with all-natural, hand-crafted seasoning blends and fresh herbs. All of the company’s products are certified vegan, non-GMO and low sodium (by FDA standards). Asian Fusion is […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Association News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, National, Online Grocery Technology
Food Retailers Expand Grocery Health, Wellness Programs
FMI released the 2019 Retailer Contributions to Health and Wellness report Dec. 11, finding grocery stores are expanding the health and wellness programs they offer to shoppers. The majority (90 percent) of survey respondents report having an established health and wellness program and about half (49 percent) have programs for both employees and customers. This […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Guest Contributors, Home Page Slider, National, Sustainability News
Non-Food For Thought: New Year’s Resolutions For 2020
by Naomi Sleeper, VP of Continuous Improvement and Strategic Initiatives, Imperial Distributors With the 2010s decade coming to a close(!), it’s time to set some strong resolutions for the next year (or 10). In this spirit, I dedicate this column to changes our industry can make for longer-term impact: on environmental sustainability. While “responsible consumerism”—including environmental and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, National, Packaging News, Sustainability News
Nielsen 2020: Brand Innovation Predictions For The Next Decade
“With constant evolution of channel, competitive and consumer environments, marketers are being forced to think differently in order to compete. Over the next decade, expect to see remarkable shifts in innovation strategies to accommodate a new age of conscious, connected and unconventional consumption,” said Jenny Frazier, SVP of Nielsen BASES (Booz-Allen Sales Estimating System). So, what […]
Posted inDeli News, Food Service News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, Perishables, Suppliers, Tyson Deli
Making Mealtimes Measure Up
sponsored content Shoppers purchase prepared foods for convenience, but they’ve also confessed they’re looking for more than a random assortment of products. They want dinner to be a time when their family can reconnect. A big part of that experience includes a satisfying meal¹²³. Eric LeBlanc, director of channel marketing-deli at Tyson Foods Inc., […]